Final Vocab Flashcards
alley
the playing area that comes into or out of play at various times during any game. For example, the side alley is the playing area on each side of the court between the singles sideline and the doubles sideline. This 1.5 foot wide area is in play for doubles, but out of bounds for singles. The back alley is an area 2.5 foot deep between the doubles back service line and the back boundary line. It is out of bounds on any doubles serve. After the serve is in play, this alley is in bounds for any other return.
around-the-head stroke
a return made with a forehand stroke but contacted over the player’s non dominant shoulder
back boundary line
the line similar to the baseline in tennis that designates the end or back of the badminton playing area
backcourt
approximately the last 11 feet of the court on either side of the net or mid court to the back boundary line
backhand grip
the manner in which a player grasps the racket to hit any return from his or her non dominant side. In badminton, this is usually done with the dominant thumb in an up position on the top left bevel of the handle
backswing
that part of the swing that takes the racket back in preparation for the forward swing
Badminton World Federation
the governing body for badminton play and competition throughout the world. Formerly the International Badminton Federation or IBF, the name change was effective December 2006.
base
a spot near the middle of the court that a player tries to return to after most shots
baseline
the line designating the back boundary of the court
bird
the missile or object struck with the badminton racket that begins the rally over the net. Same as shuttle or shuttlecock.
carry
a return that is caught on the racket face and is slung or thrown over the net. It is sometimes referred to as a sling or a throw. This is a legal return as long as it is a continuation of the player’s normal stroke and is not a double hit.
clear
a high return that carries deep into the backcourt
crosscourt
a return or stroke that sends the bird diagonally across the court
double hit
a fault that occurs when the shuttle is hit twice in succession on the same stroke
doubles service court
the serving area into which the doubles serve must be delivered. Each side of a badminton court has a right and a left service court for doubles. Each doubles service court is bounded by the short service line, the centerline, the doubles sideline, and the doubles back service line. Its dimensions are 13 feet long by 10 feet wide. It is sometimes referred to as short and fat. The side alley is in bounds; the back alley is not.
drive
a return or stroke that sends the shuttle in a relatively flat trajectory, parallel to the floor, but high enough to pass over the net.
drive serve
a hard, fast serve that crosses the net with a flat trajectory and is usually directed toward the receiver’s non dominant shoulder. It is used more in doubles than in singles.
drop shot
a return or stroke that barely clears the net and falls toward the floor, hit underhand or overhand from the net or the backcourt.
fault
any violation of the rules
flick serve or flick return
a quick, flat serve or return initiated by a flick of the wrist that loops the bird high out of reach toward the rear of the opponent’s court. It is used primarily in doubles if the opponent is consistently rushing the player’s serve.
follow-through
the smooth continuation of a stroke after the racket has contacted the bird
forehand
any return or stroke hit on the dominant side of the body
forehand grip
the manner in which the player grasps the racket to hit any return from his or her dominant side. The handshake, or pistol, grip is the most common forehand grip in badminton.
front court
approximately the front 11 feet of the court on either side of the net or mid court to the net. The front part of the court, sometimes referred to as the forecourt.
game
a competition that has a goal of a specified number of points. All games, such as women’s or men’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, are played to 21 points.
hairpin drop shot
a form of drop shot played from near the net that travels up one side of the net and down the other side, thus forming a trajectory in the shape of a hairpin
hands down
under the rally point scoring system, in which only one partner has the opportunity to serve in any one service turn, this term no longer applies. Under the former rules, hands down was used to indicate when a doubles partner lost his or her turn to serve. One hand down meant that one partner lost his or her serve. Two hands down meant both partners had lost their serves, indicating their service turn was over and their side was out
inning
an individual’s or team’s turn at serving or the serving turn on one end of the court.
International Badminton Federation
The IBF was formerly the governing body for badminton play and competition throughout the world.
let
a form of interference in which the point is replayed
love
in scoring, meaning zero or no points have been scored
love-all
zero-all or no points have been scored by either side
match
a competition that has a specified number of games. To win a match, a player usually has to win two out of three games
match point
the point that winds the match
mixed doubles
a four-handed game in which male and female partners team together to play on opposite sides of the net from each other
net shot
any return that strikes the net and continues over into the opponent’s court. This might also apply to any drop shot return played from a point near the net.
overhead
any stroke played from a point above head height
placement
a return hit to a specific spot in the opponent’s court where it will be difficult for the opponent to return
push shot
a return or shot hit or pushed softly down into the opponent’s court. In doubles, this usually means past the opposing partner stationed at the net.
rally
any exchange back and forth across the net between opposing players during any particular point
ready position
the basic waiting position near center court, which is equidistant from all corners. This position affords the player the best opportunity to get to any possible return made by the opponent
receiver
any player who receives the serve
return
any method of hitting an opponent’s shots back over the net
serve or service
the act of putting the shuttle into play at the beginning of a point or rally
server
the player who delivers the serve
service court
one of the two half-courts divided by the net into which the serve must be directed. There are right and left service courts for singles and doubles play. They differ in size and shape.
service over
loss of serve, serve goes over to the opponent.
short service line
the front line designating the beginning of the service court and situated 6 ft 6 in from the net
shuttle or shuttlecock
the missile used in badminton. Same as bird.
side out
loss of service. Same as service over or hands down in doubles play
singles service court
the serving area into which the singles serve must be delivered. Each side of a badminton court has a right and a left service court for singles. Each singles service court is bounded by the short service line, the center line, the singles sideline and the back boundary line. Its dimensions are 15.5 ft long by 8.5 ft wide. It is sometimes referred to long and narrow.
singles sideline
the singles sideline designated the out-of-bounds for singles play. The singles court is 17 ft wide from sideline to sideline
smash
a powerful overhead return or stroke hit at a downward angle into the opponents court with excessive speed.
stroke
the act of hitting the bird with the racket
Thomas Cup
a men’s international badminton team competition similar to the Davis Cup in tennis. It was first held in 1948. Six singles and three doubles matches are played between two countries. Thomas Cup competition is held on a two-year cycle in the even years.
Uber cup
a woman’s international team competition. It began in 1957 and was named for a former English player, Mrs. H.S. Uber. It is also held on a two=year cycle in the even years.
USA Badminton
USA Badminton is the national governing body for badminton in the US. USA Badminton was the American Badminton Association from 1936-1977, when it was reorganized and renamed the United States Badminton Association. In 1996, the current name USA Badminton, was adopted for membership purpose.
wood shot
this return or shot results from the tip of cork of the shuttle hitting on the frame of the racket rather than on the strings. Although it has not always been a legal return, the IBF ruled in 1963 that wood shots were acceptable.
